President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday evening had a tele-conference with players and officials of the Nigerian football team ahead of their semi-final clash against Mali at the ongoing AFCON championship in South Africa.

The Super Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya who said the conference lasted for about 30-minutes, added that the President called from the State House in Abuja, Nigeria's Federal capital.

Alaiya said the President was asking after their health and readiness for Wednesday's game one after the other.

"President Jonathan told the team that the Nigerian government on Monday, February 4, 2013, commenced the centenary celebration of the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorates of the country and Lagos Colony, which today is what is called Nigeria."

He had earlier said in an address to the team before the commencement of Afcon 2013 that he expects the Nations Cup trophy to form part of the ongoing celebration of the birth of Nigeria 100 years ago.

Eyes on the trophy

NFF President, Aminu Maigari promised the President that the players and officials of the Super Eagles will not let him down in the task of winning the Nations Cup. Keshi spoke in a similar vein, as well as team skipper, Joseph Yobo.

Keshi and Yobo vowed that at the end of Afcon 2013, the Super Eagles will surely be crowned champions of Africa.